Warmer weather brings both more time outside and the potential for more distressing skin conditions. Moms across the country spend time each summer trying to deduce what could have caused their child’s newly bumpy, red skin. Rashes can be caused from any of number of harmless things, insects, allergic reactions, or contact with certain plants. Knowing how to treat, has to take into account the potential cause of the rash. The following will help you figure out what you are dealing with before you treat.
Regardless of the cause of the rash if it does not clear up in a few days, or if any of the following additional symptoms occur consult a physician.
Heat Rash
Young children and those fighting an illness of any kind are particularly prone to heat rash. The faint red rash will often be made up of tiny bumps. It will most likely surface on the forehead, trunk, and in any skin folds. This itchy, uncomfortable rash can be more than just an annoyance though. If you notice this developing, remove your child from the heat, apply cornstarch, and help rehydrate. A heat rash could lead to more serious conditions such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion so take the warning rash seriously.
This is a red, itchy rash caused by an allergic reaction to the residue of poisonous plants. It usually appears one or two days after your child touched the plant and the blisters will be undeniable mainly due to how itchy they are. If you notice a poisonous plant in the area, wash your child’s skin thoroughly to help prevent an outbreak. If one does occur, treat with hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to soothe the itch, but contact a doctor if the rash spreads to the face or eyes. My daughter is notorious for poison ivy rashes on her face.
A rash consisting of tiny, fragile blisters could be impetigo. Look for the honey-colored crust from blisters that continually rupture and scab over. This contagious bacterial infection enters the skin most often through an open cut, or a bug bite. Treat by washing the sores with antibacterial soap and water and then a layer of antibiotic ointment. Wrap loosely in a bandage to keep the infection from spreading or coming in contact with others. Notify a physician if this rash does not clear up in a few days.
Swimmer’s Itch
This rash is something we dealt with last summer that had me perplexed. Apparently it is an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites found in rivers and lakes. The tiny reddish pimples start to appear approximately 12 hours from swimming. When we were on vacation my kids woke up with bumps and blisters after the first day at the lake. I couldn’t quite figure it out until my sister in law clued me in to the possibility of swimmer’s itch. Treatment for this is the same as the treatment for poison ivy; hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. An effective way to prevent this rash is to briskly dry your child’s skin when they come out of the water. The friction prevents the tiny parasites from hooking into the skin.
More by Sylvie Branch:
Tips for when you have to switch pediatricians
